Music

Choirs & Singing Groups · Junior Music Program · Handbells & Instrumentalists ·

Summer 2008

             Listen to the Music!

 Listen to recent choir anthem/duets/solos. 

Just click on the title you want to hear.

"God My Shepherd Walks Beside Me"

by J. S. Bach

Rachel Runge, Soprano (6/22/08)

"We Are the Lord's" (Tune Londonderry Aire)

"Gracious Spirit" by K. Lee Scott

accompanied by St. John's Handbell Team

"Above All Praise" by Felix Mendelssohn

From St. Paul   

Music by Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)

       In a letter written by the 22 year-old Felix Mendelssohn in December 1831, the young composer's expressed his frustration with the lack of spiritual or even moral content in the musical repertoire of his time. Only a few months later Mendelssohn began work on his first oratorio, St. Paul.  Mendelssohn viewed oratorios (musical dramas with Christian themes), as music not so much for entertainment as for the religious and musical education of the listeners. He took as his models the large-scale choral works of Bach and Handel, realizing that his idea of an oratorio, with its Christian theme, was profoundly different from the modern secular opera that people were hearing at the time.

       Mendelssohn wanted to write a work with spiritual substance in a time when the communal focus had shifted from the church to the concert hall. His intent in writing St. Paul was to provide an edifying experience by creating an intense and realistic representation of St. Paul 's life and drawing spiritual applications. St. Paul was premiered on May 22, 18 36 (Pentecost) at the Lower Rhine Music Festival in Dusseldorf . It was Mendelssohn's most popular work during his lifetime.

“Throughout the Land” for Double Chorus

From Solomon   

Music by G. F. Handel (1685-1759)

      Handel's oratorios (essentially operas with sacred themes, suitably set to dignified music) were extremely popular in England , owing both to the nation's choral singing tradition and to the support of pious King George I. Most concertgoers in Handel's time were familiar with the stories of the Old Testament, and so would have recognized the major themes of the oratorios. Solomon, in three acts, was presented for the first time in June of 1748, nearly 260 years ago. Its story is drawn from II Chronicles and I Kings and deals with three aspects of the kingdom and person of Solomon. In Part I the recently built Temple is consecrated, the King, the priests, and his people offer songs of thanksgiving, after which the King retires with his young Queen (Pharaoh's daughter). Part II presents the famous story of Solomon's judgment over the infant claimed by two women. Part III is devoted to the entertainment of the Queen of Sheba on a state visit. The highly textured eight-voice choruses of this splendid oratorio help to emphasize the grandeur of Solomon's kingdom.

      Today's anthem, “Throughout the Land,” comes near the end of Scene I of Part I of the oratorio: the Temple has been completed and Solomon, the priests, and the people are praising the Lord and invoking his presence in their newly-completed place of worship. (See I Kings, Chapter 8, for the whole story!) As God's mercies are recalled in their corporate worship, the people of Israel (double chorus) sing “Throughout the land Jehovah's praise record! For full of power and mercy is the Lord!” Today at 11:15 we hear our Chancel Choir and Organ as Chorus 1, joined by the USC trombone quartet as Chorus 2 without words. (At 9:00, the Organ alone takes the part of Chorus 1 while the trombones play the part of Chorus 2.) This thrilling chorus reminds us still today of the Lord's tenderness and effective care for all who are His people. May we also keep in mind Solomon's final words found in I Kings 8:61 as he blessed the assembly of Israel on the day of the dedication of the Temple : “Therefore devote yourselves completely to the Lord our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments, as at this day.” And when worship was finished, all the people feasted for a week and then went home “joyful and in good spirits because of all the goodness that the Lord had shown…”

       You may hear the opening chorus of the oratorio Solomon, "Your harps and cymbals sound" at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQ-vZhI3sQY&feature=related

St. John's Chancel Choir

The Chancel Choir are worship leaders from September through May, and we welcome new singers in all sections (soprano, alto, tenor, and bass) at any time. When a choir first starts out with a new director, everyone learns the same songs and the choir slowly builds a repertory. As time goes on, choir members leave, new singers join, the choir increases in size, and the repertory expands. New blood is vital to this natural growth cycle. Be a part of this exciting growth in our Chancel Choir, and join us as we sing old favorites and learn wonderful new music by Bach, Gounod, Beethoven, Buxtehude, Herbert Howells, William Mathias and others.

Regular rehearsals are on Wednesdays September through May at 7:00 pm in the Music Room, Heyward Hall, Room 210. Contact Director of Music, Celia Tolar-Bane or a choir member for more information.

St. John's Choral Scholar Outreach Program

The Early and the Irish June 8

(Early Music and Irish Music)

Sunday, June 8 at 4:00 pm an unusual concert will be presented in the Music Room at St. John's, followed by a dessert reception for all in attendance.  This fund-raising event will help to fund the hiring of instrumentalists (trumpets, trombones, violins, etc.) during Sunday worship.  Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children age 6 and over and are available following worship on June 1 and 8, from any choir member, or from the church office.  Seating is limited, so get your tickets early.

Early Music

Hear Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque music by Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179), G. F. Handel, Henry Purcell and others performed by soloists Melissa Peters and Haley Rice, mezzo-sopranos; Katy Hinson, soprano; Mark Leach, recorder; and Celia Tolar-Bane, harpsichord.  Ms. Hinson and Ms. Rice appeared in USC's recent production of Mozart's "The Magic Flute."  The Renaissance group Banchetto Musicale will perform John Taverner's seminal piece, "In Nomine" from his Missa Gloria tibi trinitas (1526-29) as well as popular church motets by two 16th-century English composers, Farrant and Hilton.

Hear Reproduction Instruments

The playing of reproductions of early musical instruments will be a major highlight of this concert.  Dr. Leach will play a Renaissance tenor recorder by Adriana Breukink and two copies of Baroque treble recorders by Jean-Luc Boudreau and Friedrich von Heuen, all of which are copies of historical instruments.  The Kingston harpsichord owned by st. John's will be the primary instrument used to accompany singers and recorders.  A rare miniature Italian harpsichord, a copy by Barthélémy Formentelli (Verona, Italy) of a 17th-century instrument, will be featured in solo work.

Irish Traditional Music

The Corner House Duo will appear on the same program.  Irish traditional music is a favorite of many Columbia residents.  The "Thistle and Shamrock" program on our local educational radio station enjoys wide local popularity, and Andi Hearn and Daven Mathias of Corner House are masters of the music.  "Come on in for some tunes at our place..."  The hearty music of Corner House invited listeners into the friendly setting of a cozy house party.  Tunes are shared like easy conversation and just might provoke your foot to tap along in time.  When there's a moment quiet enough, you'll hear an old doleful ballad or maybe a lighthearted love song.  Corner House is well versed in the traditional music and song of Ireland, and they share their dynamic music with enthusiasm.  Come hear Andi on fiddle and vocals and Davey on guitar.  Hear audio clips of their music on their website--cornerhousemusic.com.

Celia Tolar-Bane, Director of Music